Cherry tree named ‘SMS-1-CA-WA 2014-1’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of sweet cherry tree, which is denominated varietally as ‘SMS-1-CA-WA 2014-1’ is described, with very high productivity and which produces early ripening fruit considered large in size and low in off-grade fruit types of deep suture, spur, and double fruit formations under the ecological conditions prevailing in Lodi, Calif.

Latin name: Prunus avium L.

Variety denomination: The invention relates to a new, novel, anddistinct variety of cherry tree, a Prunus avium L., with a varietydenomination hereinafter as ‘SMS-1-CA-WA 2014-1’.

SUMMARY

The new variety ‘SMS-1-CA-WA 2014-1’ (hereinafter abbreviated ‘SMS-1’)was discovered from an open pollination of seeds collected in 1998 froma proprietary sweet cherry selection ‘SC-36a’ (unpatented) located nearVina, Lodi, and Bakersfield, Calif. The seeds were stratified, testaremoved, and then were germinated and planted in pots in 1999. Aftergermination, the aforementioned seeds were grown in pots for 3 yearsuntil flowering. Fruit was first observed in 2002. A first asexualreproduction took place when buds were taken in that same year andpropagated on Prunus mahaleb L. rootstock (unpatented) for furtherconfidential trials conducted in Vina, Calif. starting in 2003. Aftertwo years of cropping in pots, buds were taken in a second asexualreproduction and grafted onto Prunus mahaleb L. seedling rootstock forfurther evaluation in Stockton, Calif. in 2004. Additional confidentialtrials similar to those described above were conducted starting in 2006in Stockton, Calif., in 2011 in Bakersfield and Kingsburg, Calif. (USDAgrowing zones 9a, 9b), and in 2011 in Roosevelt, Wash. (USDA growingzones 7a, 7b). In 2007, the first fruit from trial growing fields wereevaluated.

Throughout the aforementioned trials and various asexual propagations,the tree and fruit produced thereby were compared to the originallydiscovered plant. All characteristics of the original tree and its fruitwere established and appears to have been transmitted to theaforementioned succeeding generations. The seed parent ‘SC-36a’ fruitingcharacteristics include larger fruit ripening 3 to 5 days before, withlonger stems, and relatively free from deep suture and double fruitwhile consistently higher crop production compared with ‘Brooks’ sweetcherry. However, the ‘SC-36a’ fruit is prone to rain cracking and fruitsurface discoloration prior and after packaging.

The present cherry tree variety ‘SMS-1-CA-WA 2014-1’ is an earlyfruiting variety ripening with ‘Brooks’ sweet cherry under theecological conditions of the central valley of California. The newvariety differs from a ‘Brooks’ cherry tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,676)and other sweet cherries within the same maturity period in thefollowing manner. Productivity is very high, with concomitant largefruit size greater than 30 millimeters (mm), often larger than 32 mm,under normal cropping conditions and low percentage of off-grade fruittypes (i.e., deep suture, fruit spurs, and doubles). Other features ofthe new variety include long stem and low acidity, allowing for earlierand easier harvest and generally higher levels of consumer acceptance.(Crisosto, Carlos H., Gayle M. Crisosto, Paul Metheney. “Consumeracceptance of ‘Brooks’ and ‘Bing’ cherries is mainly dependent on fruitSSC and visual skin color.” Postharvest Biology and Technology28:159-167.) The stems are tightly attached to the fruit of the newvariety, while some other early selections (e.g., ‘Coral’, syn. ‘CoralChampagne’ unpatented) have short stems, small fruit size with a largecrop, and poor stem retention, leading to many fruits being harvestedand packaged without the stem, and not preferred in the market at thismoment. In addition, ‘SMS-1-CA-WA 2014-1’ sweet cherry has fewer fruitwith off-grade fruit types of deep suture, spur, and double fruitformations when compared with ‘Brooks’ (Table 1) and ‘Coral Champagne’growing under identical conditions in the Southern San Joaquin Valleyareas of California. Comparisons to ‘Coral Champagne’ described hereinare based on personal observation made by the breeder though notquantified in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison of ‘SMS-1-CA-WA 2014-1’ and ‘Brooks’ sweet cherrysoluble solids (%), relative size (mm), crop load rating, and off-grade(% fruit with deep suture, fruit spurs, and fruit doubles) at earlyharvest maturity in 2018 and 2019 in Lodi, Calif. Soluble Fruit CropOff-grade (% of fruit Variety solids size Load with deep suture, SweetCherry (%) (mm) Rating** spurs, and doubles) 2019 21.1 30.3 9.3 0.47‘SMS-1-CA- WA 2014-1’ 2019 ‘Brooks’ 17.4 26.7 7.8 8.90 2018 20.4 31.67.6 0.35 ‘SMS-1-CA- WA 2014-1’ 2018 ‘Brooks’ 17.9 27.2 2.4 2.70 **Cropload rating was defined as follows on 5 year-old second generation treesgrowing in Lodi, Calif. May 2019 as: 0-10, where 0 = 0 pounds of fruitand 10 = 60 pounds of fruit. All numbers are averages of 100 fruit fromeach of 5 replicate trees with fruit color based on Centre TechniqueInterprofessionnel des Fruits et Légumes (CTIFL) code colour of 4 and 5.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are color photographs of the new cherry treevariety on the dates indicated and under the ecological conditionsprevailing at the locations indicated. The mother tree began growing in1999, the first generation begin growing in 2002, and the secondgeneration began growing in 2004.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph showing the ‘SMS-1-CA-WA 2014-1’ mothertree in Stockton, Calif., January 2015.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph showing early bloom bud break of‘SMS-1-CA-WA 2014-1’ second generation trees in Roosevelt, Wash., April2018.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph showing resting/dormant buds of‘SMS-1-CA-WA 2014-1’ in Stockton, Calif., January 2015.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph showing early bloom bud break of the‘SMS-1-CA-WA 2014-1’ mother tree in Stockton, Calif., Mar. 19, 2019.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph showing full bloom of blossom cluster ofthe ‘SMS-1-CA-WA 2014-1’ mother tree in Stockton, Calif., Mar. 29, 2019.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph showing fruit of the ‘SMS-1-CA-WA 2014-1’mother tree in Stockton, Calif., May 10, 2019.

FIG. 7 is a color photograph showing large fruit size, consistentlyfound even with heavy cropping, of the ‘SMS-1-CA-WA 2014-1’ mother treein Stockton, Calif., May 10, 2019.

FIG. 8 is a color photograph showing fruit of the ‘SMS-1-CA-WA 2014-1’mother tree as harvestable cherry fruit at harvest maturity with no restbreaking agents applied.

FIG. 9 is a color photograph showing fully mature ‘SMS-1-CA-WA 2014-1’first generation fruit.

FIG. 10 is a color photograph showing top, side, and bottom views offirst generation ‘SMS-1-CA-WA 2014-1’ cherries at harvest maturity.

FIG. 11 is a color photograph showing two first generation ‘SMS-1-CA-WA2014-1’ cherries on the left (row size 9 and 10) and two ‘Brooks’cherries on the right (row size 11 and 11.5). Indicative of relativesize and maturity, the ‘SMS-1-CA-WA 2014-1’ cherries are larger andslightly more mature compared with ‘Brooks.’

FIG. 12 is a color photograph showing first generation ‘SMS-1-CA-WA2014-1’ cherry relative size (30 mm) and shape at early harvestmaturity.

The colors in these photographs are as nearly true as is reasonablypossible in a color representation of this type. Due to variations incolor printers and/or chemical development, processing and printing, thecolors of the plant parts depicted in these photographs may, or may not,be accurate when compared to the actual specimen. For this reason, colorreferences are made to the color plates (Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart, Fourth Edition, 2001, hereinafter, “R.H.S.”) anddescriptions provided.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Not a Commercial Warranty. The following detailed description wasprepared solely to comply with the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, anddoes not constitute a commercial warranty (either expressed or implied)that the present variety will, in the future, display the botanical,horticultural, or other characteristics set forth herein. Therefore,this disclosure may not be relied upon to support any future legalclaims including, but not limited to, breach of warranty ofmerchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose, ornon-infringement, which is directed in whole, or in part, to the presentnew variety of plant.

Referring more specifically to the botanical features of this new anddistinct variety of cherry tree, the following has been observed duringthe eleventh year of growth under the ecological conditions prevailingat the breeder's property, which is located near Lodi, Calif. A secondgeneration, four-year-old tree growing on Prunus mahaleb L. rootstock inRoosevelt, Wash. was used to validate fruit size and other flowering andfruiting characteristics in another important sweet cherry growingregion in the Columbia River Basin along the Washington-Oregon stateborder.

-   Tree: General.    -   -   Size.—Considered moderate for age and rootstock, 411.5            centimeters (cm) (13.5 feet) tall and 70 cm in diameter.        -   Vigor.—Considered moderately high.        -   Branching habit.—Upright and spreading.        -   Density.—Considered moderate.        -   Form.—Trained to open vase.        -   Hardiness.—Considered hardy for Lodi, Calif.        -   Production.—Considered moderately high to high in precocity            with a yield of 16,335 pounds of fruit per acre in the fifth            growing season based on 272 trees per acre.        -   Bearing.—Considered annual.-   Tree: Trunk (measured at harvest maturity).    -   -   Size.—Circumference at 30 cm above ground is 70 cm.        -   Texture.—Mostly smooth, beginning to develop rough texture            for age.        -   Color.—From the RHS Greyed-Orange Group 166A.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous and prominent with a horizontal            orientation. Length ranges from 15.4 mm to 52.7 mm with an            average of 27.8 mm. Width ranges from 1.7 mm to 8.6 mm with            an average of 4.1 mm. Number of lenticels averages 9 per 9            square centimeters. Color is from the RHS Greyed-Yellow            Group 166C.-   Tree: Branches (measured at harvest maturity).    -   -   Scaffold branches.—Texture — Mostly smooth. Size —            Circumference at 10 cm from trunk union ranges from 26 cm to            30 cm with an average of 29 cm. Angles as trained range from            25 to 70 degrees from horizontal. Color — From the RHS            Greyed-Orange Group 174A. Lenticels — Numerous, averaging 14            per 9 cm². Length ranges from 16.4 mm to 33.6 mm with an            average of 24.3 mm. Width ranges from 3.6 mm to 8.8 mm with            an average of 6.7 mm. Center color is from the RHS            Greyed-Purple Group N186C; outer margin color from the RHS            White Group N155A.        -   Second year fruiting branches.—Texture — Smooth. Diameter —            Ranges from 5.0 mm to 6.8 mm at mid-point of growth with an            average of 6.4 mm. Color — From the RHS Greyed-Orange Group            174A. Lenticels — Moderate in number averaging 13 per            running cm; are oval in shape and range from 1.5 mm to 2.1            mm in length and 1.0 mm to 1.3 mm in width. Color from the            RHS Greyed-Orange Group 165D.        -   Current year branches.—Texture — Smooth. Size — Length            ranges from 37.5 cm to 62.5 cm with an average of 47.8 cm.            Diameter ranges from 4.6 mm to 5.6 mm with an average of 5.1            mm at half-way point. Color — From the RHS Greyed-Orange            Group N167A. Internode length — Ranges from 3.6 cm to 5.2 cm            with an average of 4.4 cm. Lenticels — Moderate in number            averaging 10 per running cm; small, round and ranging 0.2            mm-0.6 mm in diameter; color is from the RHS Greyed-Orange            Group N167D.-   Foliage: Leaves (measured from midpoint of actively growing current    season's growth at harvest maturity).    -   -   Blade.—Size — Length ranges from 13.5 cm to 16.2 cm and            averaging 15.2 cm; width ranges from 5.0 cm to 5.8 cm with            an average of 5.4 cm. Thickness averages 0.23 mm. Texture —            Upper surface is smooth and leathery, lower surface is            smooth with vein protruding above surface. Tip — Acuminate.            Base — Rounded. Form/shape — Oblong with acuminate tip.            Margin — Bi-serrate. Blade color — Upper surface from the            RHS Yellow-Green Group 146A; lower surface color from the            RHS Yellow-Green Group 146B.        -   Midvein.—Considered medium large and prominent averaging 1.4            mm in diameter at mid-point of blade with a range of 1.3 to            1.5 mm. Apex half from the RHS Greyed-Green Group 195D,            basal half from the RHS Greyed-Purple Group 184A.        -   Petiole.—Averages 3.4 cm in length with a range of 3.0 to            3.6 cm; diameter at mid-point ranges from 1.8 mm to 2.2 mm            with an average of 2.1 mm; upper surface color is from the            RHS Greyed-Purple Group 183A; lower surface color is from            the RHS Greyed-Purple Group 183D. A 0.3 mm depth, 1.0 mm            wide groove runs the full length of upper surface.        -   Glands.—Present, kidney-shaped, and averaging 2.7 mm in            length by 1.5 mm in width; 0-3 per petiole, mostly 2            alternating in position along groove of petiole and located            from 0 mm to 6.2 mm from blade base; color is from the RHS            Greyed Group 178A.        -   Stipules.—Not present.        -   Attitude.—Somewhat drooping. Blades folded upward.        -   Leaf arrangement on stem.—Alternate.-   Flower buds (as measured at full bud swell):    -   -   Spur length.—Ranges from 17.6 mm to 39.2 mm with an average            of 27.1 mm.        -   Bud shape.—Cordate.        -   Number buds per fruiting spur.—Ranges from 5 to 7 mostly 6;            bud length ranges from 7.6 mm to 10.0 mm with an average of            8.8 mm; bud diameter ranges from 4.0 mm to 5.8 mm with an            average of 4.8 mm. Scale color from the RHS Greyed-Orange            Group 174A.-   Flowers:    -   -   Attitude.—Bloom stands out with moderate droop.        -   First bloom.—March 17 under the ecological conditions            prevailing in Lodi, Calif. Three-year average is March 16.        -   Full bloom.—March 26 under the ecological conditions            prevailing in Lodi, Calif. Three-year average is March 27.        -   Size.—Bloom diameter when fully open averages 3.7 cm and is            considered open.        -   Bloom count.—Three blossoms per bud.        -   Petals.—Five in number; color is from the RHS White Group            155C; average length is 14.9 mm; average width is 16.0 mm.            Petal shape is round, margins are smooth, both upper and            lower texture is ‘lightly ruffled,’ base is rounded and the            apex is emarginate. When fully open, petals are generally            touching.        -   Nectary color.—Color is from the RHS Yellow-Green Group            153D.        -   Stamens.—Filament — Average number per bloom is 32; color is            from the RHS White Group 155C. Average length is 8.1 mm.            Anther — Kidney shaped with average size is 1.2 mm long and            1.0 mm wide.        -   Pollen.—Abundant; color is from the RHS Greyed-Orange 163B.        -   Carpel.—Style — Average length is 11.8 mm; color is from the            RHS Yellow-Green Group 149D. Stigma — Clubbed and considered            round in shape. Diameter ranges from 0.7 to 0.9 mm and is            from the RHS Yellow-Green Group 149C.        -   Sepals.—Five in number; deltoid in shape, laid back over            thalmus, margins are smooth, both upper and lower texture is            smooth, and apex is rounded; average base width is 5.4 mm;            average length is 6.8 mm; color is from the RHS Yellow-Green            Group 144C with outside and inside tip highlights from the            RHS Greyed-Red Group 180A.        -   Peduncle.—Average length is 2.6 cm, average diameter at            mid-length is 1.0 mm; color is from the RHS Green Group            145B.        -   Thalmus.—Urn shaped; average depth is 7.2 mm, average width            at the opening is 4.5 mm. Color from the RHS Yellow-Green            Group N144B.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity.—Harvest maturity May 8 under the ecological            conditions prevailing in Lodi, Calif. The three-year average            is May 6.        -   Quantity per cluster.—One to five fruit per bud or cluster.        -   Size.—Considered large; average apical diameter is 24.8 mm;            average axial side to side diameter is 31.7 mm, average            suture axil diameter is 24.6 mm.        -   Weight.—10.8 to 16.9 grams (g), average 12.6 g.        -   Form.—Considered oblate. Sides uniform.        -   Suture.—Lightly distinct, on the “back” side. Suture is a            slight depression that is 0.1 mm in depth, and 0.3 mm to 0.4            mm wide.        -   Base.—Uniform cordate in shape, width averages 12.8 mm,            depth averages 4.3 mm.        -   Apex.—Rounded ending in slight distinct depression of 1.0 to            2.0 mm marked by a russetted dot 1.0 mm to 1.2 mm in            diameter.        -   Peduncle.—Length ranges from 31.7 mm to 45.9 mm with an            average length of 40.2 mm; diameter at mid-point averages            1.1 mm; color is from the RHS Yellow-Green Group 144A.        -   Skin.—Thickness — Considered thin, 0.04 to 0.06 mm. Texture            — Surface is smooth and clear, melting in mouth. Tenacity —            Very tenacious to flesh. Tendency to crack — Less than            ‘Brooks’, but not unlike other commercially grown cherries            in California. Varies with duration of rainfall, crop load            and maturity of fruit with rain event. Down — Wanting. Color            — Uniform and from the Greyed-Purple Group 186C.        -   Flesh.—Color — From the Greyed-Purple Group 186C. Surface of            pit cavity color — From the Greyed-Purple Group 186C.            Texture — Firm, melting. Fibers — Considered lightly            fibrous. Pit tenacity — Very little, easily separated from            flesh with light retention around suture. Ripens — Evenly.            Flavor — Sweet and sub acid. Aroma — Mild cherry like.            Eating quality — Excellent.        -   Stone.—Type — Light cling type. Size — Considered medium;            averages 10.7 mm base to apex, 8.1 mm wide shoulder to            shoulder, and 7.5 to 10.1 mm wide suture to suture. Form —            Broad elliptic. Base — Rounded. Apex — Rounded. Sides —            Equal (uniform). Surface — Smooth. Ventral Edge — suture is            slightly raised 0.5 mm and is subtended by two low ridges            converging basally and apically that averages 4.9 mm and 1.5            mm in height at the mid-point. Dorsal Edge — suture is            raised 1.0 mm. Color — From the RHS Greyed-Yellow Group            161A. Tendency to split — None observed.        -   Kernel.—Shape — Considered obtuse. Base — Rounded. Apex —            Acute. Size — Length ranges from 6.6 to 7.3 mm with an            average of 7.0 mm. Width ranges from 4.1 to 4.5 mm with an            average of 4.3 mm. Thickness ranges from 2.1 to 3.1 mm with            an average of 2.9 mm. Color — From the RHS Greyed-Orange            Group 164B. Taste — Bitter, almond-like. Viability — 100%            kernel development observed, viable kernel germination            unknown.        -   Pollination requirements.—Pollination alleles S₃ S₉.        -   Market use of fruit.—Early season, premium fresh market.        -   Storability of fruit.—Limited testing, but, at the moment,            shows no unusual characteristics compared with other            commercial early season sweet cherry varieties growing in            California.        -   Resistance to pests and disease.—Shows no unusual            susceptibility nor resistance to any diseases and/or plant            or fruit pests of sweet cherry found in the San Joaquin            Valley of California or in South Central Washington State.        -   Shipping quality.—Limited testing, but, at the moment, shows            no unusual characteristics compared with other commercial            early season sweet cherry varieties growing in California.

Although the new variety of cherry tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing inStockton and Lodi, Calif. and South Central Washington, KlickitatCounty, it should be understood that variations are to be expected inthe usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growingconditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control, frost, climaticvariables, and horticultural management.

Having thus described and illustrated a new variety of sweet cherrytree, what is claimed to secure a plant Letters Patent is:
 1. A new anddistinct variety of sweet cherry tree, substantially as illustrated anddescribed, which is characterized principally as to novelty by very highproductivity and by producing early ripening fruit considered large insize and low in off-grade fruit types of deep suture, spur, and doublefruit formations under the ecological conditions prevailing in Lodi,Calif.